A potentially forgotten man on the Washington Nationals roster is Koda Glover. He’s currently on a rehab assignment and could be an X-factor in the bullpen.
It feels like a lifetime ago when Koda Glover burst onto the scene with the Washington Nationals in 2016. But since his debut, he’s had to battle a few different injuries and is now seemingly ready to return should he be required.
The right-handed reliever has now moved his rehab to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. In five rehab appearances, he’s thrown 5.2 innings, giving up three runs and has struck out nine batters.
Play-by-play announcer for the Chiefs, Eric Gallanty, noted that Glover was hitting 97 mph on his heater. A positive sign that he’s looking like the reliever we’ve seen in the big previously.
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Glover can stay with the Chiefs on rehab until August 6th, according to the MLB rehab assignment rules. So unless an injury opens up a spot for him, it seems likely that he’ll stay there for the full time.
Once that time is up, the front office have an interesting decision to make. Optioning him to Triple-A would be the obvious choice. But, they could opt to recall him, saving an option year, if they trade away a bullpen arm, or designate someone for assignment.
With an overworked bullpen, he could be an X-factor on the Nats’ stretch run. Although the overall career numbers aren’t great, he had a 2.23 ERA and an 11.1 K/9 in 92.2 minor league innings.
Let’s not forget, Glover recorded eight saves in 2017, and has a FIP of 3.72 in 39 MLB innings. So he’s certainly earned the right to be considered a major league reliever.
Ryan Madson, Shawn Kelley and Kelvin Herrera are set to be free agents at the end of the year. Therefore, it makes sense for the Nats to throw Glover out there to earn a high-leverage role moving forward.
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Koda Glover should not be completely forgotten about in the Washington Nationals bullpen. With an overworked bullpen, injuries may crop up again and give Glover the chance to return to the big leagues.